Bodhicharya is an international, non-profit association founded by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, an eminent Buddhist teacher. Since its creation in 1997 in Belgium, Bodhicharya has developed into a world-wide network of people, centres and organisations found in 35 locations in 13 countries. The guiding principles of Bodhicharya are HealingHelpingHarmony and Bodhicharya Kent endeavours to promote and actively work towards making these principles a living reality in collaboartion with others.

Bodhicharya Kent is a Buddhist group based in the Medway Town of Rochester under the spiritual guidance of Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, a Tibetan Kagyu lama, and is based around meditation practice, discussion and study.

We run meditation evenings every Tuesday evening, 8pm to 9:30pm and monthly day retreats. We also invite visiting teachers throughout the year from the Bodhicharya community who are experienced in meditation.

These events are open to everyone including Buddhists of all traditions, those of other faiths and those with none. Perhaps you have an interest in Buddhism and want to find out more or perhaps you are mainly looking to learn some meditation methods to apply in your daily life. Whatever your motivation, an open, curious and sceptical mind will be useful. People new to meditation as well as experienced practitioners are welcome, although we encourage those who are completely new to attend the Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation evening on the first Tuesday of every month, however everyone is always welcome.

Buddha Dharma is regarded to be the Science of Mind. There are facilities for the study and practise of Dharma and other ancient wisdoms originating from both Eastern and Western traditions, which provide a basis for healing body and mind.

Life is meaningless if we do not do something useful to benefit society and the world we live in. Bodhicharya has already funded schools, clinics, and hospices, and plans to generate similar projects in the future for the benefit of those in need.

Peace and progress in the world is dependent upon the harmony of its people. Inter-religious, inter-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue and study are initiated to help bring better understanding and more harmony amongst communities worldwide.

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist Master of the Kagyu Order. He was trained in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism under many great masters including HH the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa and HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He took his formal education at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Sikkim and Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi, India and has served as Tibetan Textbook Writer and Professor of Tibetan Studies in Sikkim for 25 years.

Since 1990 he has been travelling and teaching Buddhism and Meditation at Universities, Institutes and Buddhist Centers in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Asia. He also participates in various interfaith and Science and Buddhist dialogues. He authored several books (see publications section) on Buddhism as well as some children’s books both in Tibetan and European languages.